Enstone

Towns & Villages

Enstone was originally recorded as Henestan in the Domesday Book of 1086 and as Enestan and Ennestan in records held at Winchcombe Abbey from 1185. There are differing views on the origins of the word Enstone, it could come from Enna's stone - 'Boundary stone of a man called Enna', or could just mean 'giant stone'. These both appear to refer to the Hoar Stone situated at the corner of the Charlbury Fulwell road, where hidden amongst the trees there are three standing stones, the remains of a chambered long barrow. The tallest stone is almost 3 metres high above ground level.

There is a Norman church, dedicated to St Kenelm, which contains the interesting tomb of Stevens Wisdom: a colourful stature os Stevens kneeling in prayer in front of his own gravestone, which is inscribed with the date of his death in 1633. Nearby there is a medieval tithe barn with a date stone of 1382. During the early 1600s Thomas Bushell, secretary to Lord Bacon, built some famous waterworks, cascades and curiosities in the area, which were visited by Charles I in 1636. Apparently there were wonderful fountains and cascades that would suddenly change direction and thoroughly soak the unsuspecting! Unfortunately no traces have survived.